March 17, 2006 - Jacksonville St. 9 Rider 6
March 17, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Baseball
Jacksonville State University 9, Rider University 6
JACKSONVILLE, AL— The Broncs began a three-game series at Jacksonville State in Alabama Friday night with six freshmen and a sophomore in the starting line up. “We got a look at the future tonight and it looked pretty bright,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis. ‘We just left too many runners on base (13)'. “We catch a break here or there and we win this game.”
Rider scored two runs in the sixth inning to take a 6-5 lead when freshman Matt McCollum (Tabernacle, N.J./Shawnee) doubled and scored on a single by freshman third baseman Nate Kline (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg). Kline then scored on a single by freshman second baseman Adam Tussey (Brooklawn, N.J./Gloucester). “We worked hard to get the lead back,” said Davis. “We had some big hits in that comeback.”
Kline had three hits in the game, and Tussey scored two of Rider’s runs. “The freshmen swung the bats,” Davis said.
Bronc freshman outfielder Maurice Williams (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) hit an RBI triple in the first inning and scored on a double by sophomore center fielder Jon Leise (Woodbury, N.J./West Deptford) to give Rider a 2-0 lead.
The Broncs took a 4-0 lead in the second inning on a two-run single by senior first baseman Gene Crimoli (Shrewsbury, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy). Crimoli had two hits, as did freshman shortstop Jamie Hayes (Sunrise, Fla./Piper).
Rider junior pitcher Erik Holck (Readington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) recorded his sixth strikeout of the game in the sixth inning before allowing three runs, as the Gamecocks took an 8-6 lead. “Erik threw fine,” said Davis. “His walks hurt him a little tonight.”
Senior Steve Sciaraffo (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) pitched one and two-thirds innings of relief without allowing a hit or run. “Steve came in and threw more breaking balls than he has been,” Davis said, “and he kept us in the game at the end.”
Rider plays a doubleheader at Jacksonville State Saturday afternoon before heading north.
-RU-
